Review: That’s why it didn’t work with home points

The goal conceded. Unsurprisingly, the goal conceded found its way into this section. In a match in which both sides largely neutralised each other, a corner kick provided the goal of the day. A dip corner from Obermair was headed centrally in front of the goal, where Platte scored from point-blank range to make it 0-1 from Lilien’s perspective. Otherwise, SV 98 didn’t allow much, but the goal was enough for the guests to take the maximum number of points with them to Paderborn. “Unfortunately, a set piece decided the game,” said Kai Klefisch, complaining about the “crux” of the game: “The goal came too easily, we have to take blame for that.”

The set pieces. Based on the “scene of the game” it can be stated that in general the stationary ball was not exactly the Lilies’ friend on this Sunday afternoon. “Set pieces are part of the game. So it’s not an undeserved defeat because Paderborn was the better team when it came to these.” admitted coach Florian Kohfeldt, before adding: “Defensively and offensively.” A lot of work was done on set pieces during the winter break, refined and tinkered with , because Kohfeldt was not yet satisfied with the results in this area in the first half of the season. The game against Düsseldorf showed that SV 98 is on the right track here. However, the game against Paderborn showed that there is further potential for optimisation. A look at this part of a football game also shows that the Lilies are in a development phase.

The decision making. Certainly the most mentioned aspect after the final whistle of the match. Here too, looking at South Hesse’s playing time, it is clear that SV 98 is in a learning process. In some cases, Kohfeldt delivered inspiring, rousing performances. But when it comes to the supreme discipline in professional football – playing against an opposing team that plays wait-and-see and moves well defensively – there is of course still room for improvement. “An important realization today is that has become apparent over the last few weeks: If we have time in the game to make our own decisions, we stay in possession of the ball for too long and therefore do not become dangerous,” concluded Kohfeldt. But he expressly emphasised that this was not a criticism, but rather an inventory. And he sees his team as a whole on the right track in terms of the progress made over the past few months. Marcel Schuhen added: “One time or another we lacked the right idea, the line-up in the box wasn’t optimal at times and we weren’t really dangerous. There are games like that.”

Against Paderborn there was no effective means of breaking down the deep defense. When is the game played fast? When do you step on the ball? When will the game be postponed? Klefisch: “But we didn’t manage to get dangerously into the last level. We have to keep working on creating chances against such a bulwark.” His head coach gave insight into his inner life afterwards. “I’m annoyed about such a defeat,” said Kohfeldt: “Because I would like to take at least one point with a game like that, that has to be our goal. Because the result now somewhat masks the things that have actually become more positive.”

The defensive work. A lot has developed positively since Kohfeldt took over as coach at SV 98. For example, the game against the ball. The South Hessians not only defend well, but they also defend well when they take risks and have to play offensively. The home game against SCP also demonstrated that the protection works and that the defense mechanisms are effective when the ball is lost. As a result, the guests hardly managed to relieve the pressure and had no opportunity to further increase the score. Kohfeldt: “We kept the opponent away from the goal as much as possible, which would probably have been unthinkable a few months ago.”